Commission VII Members Question The Synergy Of Antam And PLN In East Halmahera Ferronickel Smelter Project

Illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Commission VII member Abdul Wahid highlighted the construction of a ferronickel smelter project in East Halmahera. Because, the development of this project has reached 97.98 percent, but has not been supplied with electricity until now.

Furthermore, Abdul considers building a smelter without electricity supply as evidence of Antam synergy echoed by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) has not been running optimally.

"That's right (project development is already 97.98 percent). This means that coordination between BUMN is not the way. So we regret this happened", he said when contacted by VOI, Thursday, April 8.

Related to the electricity supply for smelters, it is known that the power plant procurement auction tender has been held since 2017. However, it was later revealed that the tender process was convoluted. It was revealed from a letter from PT PLN (Persero) sent to PT Aneka Tambang Tbk or Antam dated July 23, 2020.

In a letter signed by the Director of Commerce and Customer Management Bob Saril, PLN offers a price of IDR 595.65 per kilowatt per hour (Kwh). Not only that, in August 2021 PLN promised smelter already commercial operation date (COD).

Instead of responding to PLN, PT Antam instead opened a new tender. In fact, PT Antam cooperates with third parties or private parties as procurement agents.

"PLN has already made an offer. Just no response (Antam) to this day. We hear suddenly there is an offer from the private sector, how can it also be privately taken by Antam," he said.

Related to this, Abdul requested that the Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir fix the synergy of the two red plate companies. Because this is the homework of the Ministry of BUMN.

"The Minister of BUMN (Erick Thohir) should be firm, just about electricity. If it's about price can be negotiable", he insisted.

On the other hand, Abdul said that his party 'smells' any indication of a tender process that is not transparent. However, he admits to being reluctant to reveal it at this time.

"There is (suspicion). I have not revealed because we have not visited the field yes. After a visit to the field we just revealed", he said.